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Cervical Shedding of Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I Is Associated with Cervicitis

2002; Oxford University Press; Volume: 186; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1086/345364

1537-6613

Joseph R. Zunt, Charlene S. Dezzutti, Silvia M. Montano, Katherine K. Thomas, J. O. V. Alarcón, Eberth Quijano, Barry N. Courtois, Jorge L. Sánchez, Pablo Campos, Eduardo Gotuzzo, Patricia C. Guenthner, Renu B. Lal, King K. Holmes,

Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is sexually transmitted. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cervical shedding of HTLV-I DNA among Peruvian sex workers. HTLV tax DNA was detected in cervical specimens from 43 (68%) of 63 HTLV-I–infected sex workers and in samples obtained during 113 (52%) of 216 clinic visits between 1993 and 1997. Detection of HTLV DNA was associated with the presence of ⩾30 polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) within cervical mucus per 100× microscopic field (odds ratio [OR], 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–10.1) and with the presence of cervical secretions (OR, 2.0; 95% CI 1.2–3.4). Hormonal contraceptive use (OR 1.7; 95% CI, 0.8–3.6) and concomitant cervical infection by Chlamydia trachomatis (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.3–4.3) or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6–3.7) were not significantly associated with HTLV-I shedding. Our results suggest that cervicitis may increase cervical HTLV-I shedding and the sexual transmission of this virus